Sign up here to serve our wonderful students for the 2022-2023 school year!
First of all, I want to say a HUGE thank you to the 2021-2022 advisors. I cannot thank you enough for sticking through such a crazy first year with me! Looking back, I am so proud of what we have created but also cannot believe we made it. There was a lot of chaos, not a whole lot of organization/planning, and a lot of thinking on our toes! SO, for those who made it through last year- thank you again. That's what happens when your first day on the job is the EYC kickoff! Haha!
With that being said, this year is completely different! So don't let that discourage you from re-enlisting as a youth volunteer for the 2022-2023 school year! I have spent the summer in "prep & plan mode" and am so excited + expectant for what the Lord is going to do with/in our EYC community this year. Rich and I could not do this without the help of all our wonderful volunteers who make our ideas come to life and make a huge difference in the lives of students here at St. John's! We want volunteers who are in our corner and support the ministry we believe St. John’s will benefit from for the years to come!
After the conclusion of our Spring Semester, with the help of Peter, we led multiple visioning meetings to begin planning for this coming year. We met with parents, advisors, youth, and others who wanted to join- to see what works, where we fall short, and how to move forward from ministry within a pandemic + two new ministers.
Like I mentioned before, with such a crazy year there was a need to re-envision.
This process does include:
-Moving to one meeting (Sundays 6:00-7:30 PM) BUT running two separate programs simultaneously. This looks like beginning with a shared meal between everyone at EYC, middle schoolers playing a game while high schoolers are upstairs doing a message, and then swapping, and then ending the night in small groups (not always separated by gender + grade, dependent on who is there each given night.)
-Changing "Crew nights" to off-campus events. Students (and volunteers) will be able to choose between three events, sign up in advance, and attend with their friends regardless of age!
-A new idea for "Advisors" instead
of being paired with a specific "crew", you can determine which level
of commitment you are able to adhere to below. Not everyone is gifted in
facilitating small group discussions. The same way not everyone is gifted in
playing games + bringing others in to feel included. We recognize the different
gifts + talents our volunteers hold and want to give an opportunity for you all
to serve where you are comfortable. Does this mean that you will lose your
connection with your previously established crew? Absolutely not. It means that
you will be a part of everyone's journey but still able to maintain those
previously-built relationships on your own accord.
-With the time change, this opens up the
7:30-8:00 time slot for "extended time." Does this require you to
stay every Sunday until 8:00? No, it does not. BUT the time is there for things
like Extended Conversations, Catching up with students (maybe those in your
previous "crew"), Fellowship, Pastoral Care, Design Team, ETC. This
is a great time to meet with those who you already have a deep connection with
OR use the time to meet someone new, chat with other adults, etc.
-Replacing the "Winter Retreat" with an annual, on campus "Winter-Lock-in"
-Lastly, assigning groups in "real time" on Sunday nights at Check-in. After check in is completed, there will be a projected graphic including a schedule for the night, announcements, and what group each student will be in. The purpose of this is to maintain critical mass in groups (not have one middle school boy in a room with 8 adults) and to mix it up from time - to - time. This allows students to branch out from their typical groups + get to know other adults whose strength is in leading those types of conversations. Games, Icebreakers, and Message time is still separated by HS/MS so please specify below where you feel more called, if so.
I understand this is a lot but all of this information will pay off in the long run- a much more organized year sounds great to me and I'm sure it does to you all too. I encourage you to ask the Lord what He has for you in this upcoming year in ministry + I hope that it includes serving the wonderful students we have. This year is going to be a good one and I'd love to have you a part of it. If you have any questions or need clarification on anything, please reach out. Please complete the form by August 15th.
Thank you all! Looking forward to a great year!
Rachel
